Photography Session T&C

These Photography Session Terms & Conditions (“Session Terms”) apply to photography services provided by SeaLens Photography (“SeaLens,” “we,” “us,” or “our”).

By booking a photography session with SeaLens Photography, the client (“Client,” “you,” or “your”) acknowledges that they have reviewed these terms and agree to the terms applicable to their session.

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1. Booking

A photography session is considered booked only after:

1. SeaLens confirms the session date and time;

2. the required retainer or payment has been received; and

3. the Client has accepted the applicable Client Agreement or booking terms.

Until these requirements are completed, a requested date remains subject to availability.

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2. Session Fee & Retainer

The session fee, retainer, balance, and included deliverables will be identified during the booking process or in the Client Agreement.

A retainer may be required to reserve the date and time of the session.

Unless otherwise required by applicable law or stated in writing, the retainer is applied toward the total session fee and is not transferable to another client.

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3. Payment

Any remaining balance must be paid according to the payment schedule specified in the Client Agreement or invoice.

SeaLens Photography reserves the right to withhold photography services or image delivery when an outstanding balance remains unpaid, subject to applicable law and the terms of the applicable agreement.

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4. Rescheduling

Clients may request to reschedule a session by providing at least 48 hours' notice.

Rescheduling requests are subject to SeaLens Photography's availability.

A retainer may be transferred to one rescheduled date, subject to availability and the applicable agreement.

Requests made with less than 48 hours' notice may be treated as a cancellation or late cancellation, unless SeaLens determines otherwise.

Nothing in this section limits rights that may apply under applicable law.

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5. Cancellation

If the Client cancels a session, the applicable refund or cancellation terms will be determined by the Client Agreement and applicable law.

Because photography sessions involve reserving a specific date and time, cancellation may result in the loss of some or all amounts paid, depending on the circumstances and applicable law.

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6. Late Arrival

Clients are expected to arrive on time and ready for their scheduled session.

The session begins at the scheduled time. Arriving late may reduce the amount of time available for photography.

If the Client arrives more than 20 minutes late, SeaLens Photography may treat the session as a late cancellation if the remaining session time is insufficient to reasonably provide the agreed services.

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7. Session Duration

Session duration refers to the scheduled photography time and does not necessarily include arrival, preparation, wardrobe changes, or departure.

The specific duration included in the Client's package will be stated during booking.

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8. Image Selection

If the selected package includes a specific number of final photographs, the Client may be required to select the included images from a proofing gallery.

Only photographs selected or designated as final images will receive the included professional retouching.

Additional images may be purchased separately when offered.

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9. Image Delivery

Final edited photographs will generally be delivered within 4–7 business days after the Client has completed any required image selection.

Estimated delivery times may vary depending on the scope of the session, season, holidays, studio workload, or other circumstances.

SeaLens will communicate significant delays when reasonably possible.

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10. Editing & Retouching

SeaLens Photography provides professional color correction and artistic retouching consistent with the SeaLens Photography style.

Standard retouching may include:

• exposure and color correction;

• skin refinement;

• removal of temporary blemishes;

• minor distractions;

• overall image refinement.

Extensive alterations, body reshaping, major object removal, compositing, or other specialized editing may require an additional fee and prior agreement.

RAW files and unedited photographs are not included unless specifically agreed to in writing.

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11. Artistic Style

By booking SeaLens Photography, the Client acknowledges that they have reviewed the photographer's portfolio and style.

SeaLens will make reasonable efforts to create photographs consistent with the agreed creative direction, but photography is an artistic service and exact results cannot be guaranteed.

Specific poses, expressions, lighting conditions, or final images cannot be guaranteed unless expressly agreed in writing.

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12. Photographer's Creative Discretion

SeaLens Photography reserves reasonable creative discretion regarding:

• composition;

• lighting;

• posing;

• camera angles;

• image selection;

• editing;

• artistic direction.

The photographer may make creative decisions during the session in order to achieve the agreed aesthetic.

 

13. Copyright

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, SeaLens Photography retains copyright in photographs created during a session.

The Client receives a personal-use license to the delivered photographs included in the package.

The Client may print, share, and post the photographs for personal, non-commercial purposes, provided the images are not materially altered or used in a manner that falsely suggests endorsement or affiliation.

Commercial use, advertising, resale, publication, licensing, or transfer of reproduction rights requires written permission unless expressly included in the Client Agreement.

California's official photography guidance specifically recognizes written agreements concerning copyright interests and licensing, making clear written terms particularly useful for photography businesses. 

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14. Social Media & Portfolio Use

SeaLens Photography will not publicly use photographs of a Client for portfolio, website, social media, advertising, or promotional purposes unless the applicable Client Agreement or a separate written release authorizes such use.

Where applicable, Clients may choose whether to grant permission for promotional use.

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15. Client Responsibilities

The Client is responsible for:

• arriving prepared for the session;

• communicating relevant needs or limitations before the session;

• bringing required clothing, accessories, or personal items;

• supervising children participating in the session;

• ensuring that any necessary permissions are obtained for people appearing in the photographs.

For minors, a parent or legal guardian must provide the required consent.

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16. Personal Belongings

Clients are responsible for their personal belongings during the session.

SeaLens Photography is not responsible for loss or damage to personal property except to the extent required by applicable law.

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17. Safety

SeaLens Photography may pause or terminate a session if circumstances create a reasonable safety concern for the Client, photographer, assistants, guests, property, or equipment.

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18. Weather

For outdoor sessions, weather-related rescheduling may be offered when conditions reasonably interfere with the planned session.

Studio sessions are generally not affected by outdoor weather conditions.

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19. Force Majeure

Neither party shall be responsible for failure or delay caused by circumstances beyond reasonable control, including serious illness, natural disasters, government restrictions, emergencies, significant equipment failure, or other circumstances that make performance impracticable.

The parties will make reasonable efforts to reschedule when appropriate.

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20. Agreement

The Client Agreement signed or electronically accepted by the Client forms part of the terms governing the photography session.

If there is a conflict between these general Session Terms and a specific written Client Agreement, the specific Client Agreement will control to the extent of that conflict.